Milt Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 There was a talkbox thread a couple of years ago. I wonder if anyone can help with this one... Anyway, the question is: Has anyone tried the Danelectro Free Speech? I really like playing with a talkbox - yes, it's perilously close to a vocoder and the tube makes you look like you're on life support (not to mention the looks you get from any hygiene-obsessed bandmates), but I love using it for Roger-style backing vocals and also for soloing. I've been missing my Heil Sound every day since I sold it. The sound was fantastic, but I don't bring an amp to most gigs so it was too much effort for something I only used on 2-3 songs. Not to mention that these things weigh a ton. I needed something with a built-in amp. The Electro-Harmonix Golden Throat Deluxe is impossible to find for a reasonable price in the UK, so I bought a Rocktron Banshee. I'd read rave reviews by anyone who used it, but I was really disappointed - I guess it's fine for Frampton/Bon Jovi guitar lines, but it distorts the sound so much that the words are totally unintelligible. Does the Danelectro suffer from the same problem? I understand that the supplied mics are a joke, but I'd rather sing into a proper mic anyway, so that's not a problem. Any thoughts? R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 I have a Free Speech box (which I bought for my Stratocaster) and have tried it on my NL3 just to see how it would sound. Not much like a...er...voc, well you know what I mean. You can use a different mic than the two little ones they have attached to it. I use a SM-57 and it works fairly well (at least on the guitar). I like the fact that you are dealing more with the sound variations your mouth movements produce than just the words spoken. As a second best to the Heil, it fairs well in being able to hear the words mouthed. Hope this helps. Don Don "Yes, on occasion I do talk to myself, sometimes I need an expert's opinion." Alesis DG8, ARP(Korg)Odyssey Mk.1, Roland JU-06 & Keystation61. Stratocaster if I get tired of sitting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danimuschi Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 the free speech is a toy!!!! i have an E-H golden throat and the free speach is CRAP compares to that!!!! i've made some good robot kinda sounds on the free speech, but for good old troutman kinda vibe you'll need something better!!! check out: http://www.tonytalkbox.com/Forum/index.php? for more info... D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 Rahsaan, It appears our associate from Denmark didn't read your post, at least not the Originally posted by Rahsaan: The Electro-Harmonix Golden Throat Deluxe is impossible to find for a reasonable price in the UK. As I said, I purchased it for my guitar and, like you, because it is difficult to find either the Heil or E-H at a reasonable price. That makes this a reasonable alternative. I guess the only real way to find out is to try it for yourself. Don Don "Yes, on occasion I do talk to myself, sometimes I need an expert's opinion." Alesis DG8, ARP(Korg)Odyssey Mk.1, Roland JU-06 & Keystation61. Stratocaster if I get tired of sitting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 Originally posted by danimuschi: check out: http://www.tonytalkbox.com/Forum/index.php? for more info... D I did and got this response: vBulletin Message: Sorry, the board is Closed. Don "Yes, on occasion I do talk to myself, sometimes I need an expert's opinion." Alesis DG8, ARP(Korg)Odyssey Mk.1, Roland JU-06 & Keystation61. Stratocaster if I get tired of sitting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captainmri Posted February 15, 2006 Share Posted February 15, 2006 What about a Digitech TALKER? look here... http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/apr98/articles/digitech_talker.html chip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milt Posted February 15, 2006 Author Share Posted February 15, 2006 Thanks for the replies. Originally posted by danimuschi: i've made some good robot kinda sounds on the free speech, but for good old troutman kinda vibe you'll need something better!!! Hmmm... that's the main thing I was concerned about. As I said, I think I'd pretty much nailed the Roger Troutman sound with my Heil Sound, but it was too much hassle. Danismuchi, did you try the Free Speech with an external mic as well? Originally posted by captainmri: What about a Digitech TALKER? I actually bought one of those! It sounds pretty good, but I didn't really enjoy playing it. Guess I'm too used to the whole plastic tube thing, rattling fillings and all! One final question: do chords sound ok through the Free Speech? This was one of my main problems with the Rocktron - once I'd cranked it up to an acceptable volume, there was so much distortion that I was limited to playing monophonically. Not good! R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted February 15, 2006 Share Posted February 15, 2006 I must admit I was using mine in a monophonic lead so can't answer the chord question, but I will try it out and let you know. Don Don "Yes, on occasion I do talk to myself, sometimes I need an expert's opinion." Alesis DG8, ARP(Korg)Odyssey Mk.1, Roland JU-06 & Keystation61. Stratocaster if I get tired of sitting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milt Posted February 15, 2006 Author Share Posted February 15, 2006 Thanks! Much appreciated. R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danimuschi Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 hey! i always use a shure sm57 with my talkbox. also with the free speech... the free speech distorts with chords! i think most talkboxes do, but the free speech was really bad! my golden throat distorts with chords as well, but it's not as bad as the free speech! anyway, roger troutman didn't play chords on his talkbox. he overdubbed each harmony! i like to play chords live, but in the studio, harmonizing with different takes is the way to go... if you don't want all the hassel of a ordinary talkbox i think that the banshee is your best bet! the tonytalkbox.com forum has been down before, so check it again in a while... it'll be up again! -i hope!!! lots of nice talkbox discussions and info there!!! D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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